Why the World Needs Grumpy Bear
And more emotional intelligence
I am posting this off the back of Kristy Miall’s Linkedin post on Blue Monday, officially the most depressing day of the year
It is ok to be Grumpy, in fact it is healthy. Understanding your own emotions and empathising with others emotions is an incredibly complex skill to develop and maintain.
Often when someone tells me they are having a bad day, I want to solve it. More often than not the person telling me, doesn’t need a solution they just need an ear.
Grumpy Bear’s presence in the Care Bears universe isn’t just comforting—it’s educational. In a world where emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as critical, his character underscores the importance of acknowledging, understanding, and empathizing with all feelings, both in ourselves and in others. Psychologist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett highlights that emotions are not hardwired but are learned and shaped by our environment. This means children and adults alike benefit from guidance in identifying and processing their emotions.
Dr. Marc Brackett, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, echoes this, noting that emotions “drive learning, decision-making, creativity, and relationships.” Yet emotional literacy often takes a backseat in childhood development, despite being foundational to resilience and long-term happiness. Children who can articulate their emotions are better equipped to regulate stress, navigate friendships, and develop empathy—skills essential for thriving in an increasingly complex world.
This is where storytelling comes in. A 2024 global survey spanning 26,000 respondents across 22 countries revealed that parents are drawn to brands promoting well-being, kindness, and emotional resilience. Care Bears, a brand that has mastered the art of weaving emotional lessons into engaging narratives. Their iconic symbols—rainbows for hope, hearts for love—act as emotional signposts, helping children understand universal feelings in a playful, approachable way. Care Bears stands out for its universal appeal, described as “huggable, colorful, and positive.” Parents overwhelmingly associate the brand with promoting well-being and acceptance.
Psychologist Paul Ekman’s research on universal emotions underscores why this approach is so impactful. Across cultures, emotions like joy, sadness, and anger are universally understood. When brands reflect these shared human experiences in their content, they create a framework for children to understand themselves and connect with others. Care Bears performs exceptionally well with parents and kids, with high desirability for content, and of course toys (namely the loved plush toys) that delivers “good values.”
A child watching an episode of a show about resolving conflict sees characters work through challenges with kindness and empathy, absorbing practical tools for managing their own relationships. For parents, brands like Care Bears offer more than entertainment—they provide a shared emotional language that bridges nostalgia with modern parenting. A parent who grew up with Care Bears might use these stories to start conversations with his child about sharing or managing frustration, creating intergenerational bonds over shared values. Far healthier than a child learning to resolve conflict in an unforgiving environment on social media.
As Dr. Barrett reminds us, the journey to emotional growth isn’t about suppressing negative emotions—it’s about helping kids navigate their feelings, connect with others, and ultimately find happiness - and whatever other colour of mood that helps them. Brands that embrace this mission aren’t just entertaining; they’re shaping a generation capable of building kinder, more empathetic communities.
As Kristy said, embrace Grumpy.
It may come as no surprise that as someone who embraces bleak I love Joy Division
But of course I don’t care if Monday is blue.